Bev & Mike comment on a furniture, fabrics and accessories of interest to interior designers and their clients in Portland, Oregon.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Staci Byers: Selling Your House Quickly and Profitably

You can learn a lot about selling your house
by having lunch with a woman whose specialty is home staging. I had that
opportunity recently when Staci Byers agreed to an interview. Staci Byers owns Ready to Sell PDX and operates her
home staging business in the greater Portland/Vancouver area.

Staci, why do homeowners and realtors call
you?

Staci: They both call for the same
reason – there is a home about to go on the market and they want to make sure
it is well presented to ensure a quick sale and the highest price the market
can support.

What’s the first step?

Staci: An on-site consultation is the first thing I do. I conduct a full
assessment of the home both inside and out. I cover things such as furniture
and accessory placement, cosmetic repairs, color recommendations and curb
appeal suggestions.

My
recommendations, as well as tips for a successful Open House are presented in
ahome staging report that is sent to
the homeowner and agent. After this initial consultation the homeowners will
know just what is needed to get the home ready for the market.

Often the
homeowners are able to take care of the items themselves based on the report I
provide, but if they would like additional help, the services offered following
the consultation are a la carte and can be tailored to suite the homeowners
needs.

You work with a
lot of real estate agents. What’s in it for them?

Staci: The most valuable thing is
probably that the house spends less time on the market. A house that looks its
best will sell quicker and higher turnover translates into higher profits for
the brokers. But it also often it sells for a higher price which translates
into happy customers, more referrals, and repeat business – and of course also
a higher commission. Partnering with a professional home stager frees up the
agent to do what they do best--- Sell more homes !

What other
kinds of things are important?

Staci: The house should be clean, clean
clean! You vastly improve your house’s wow factor if you de-clutter and get
many of your personal items out of the house. Only 10% ofpeople touring a home can visualize their
items in the space, so stage each room relevant for the function. A bedroom
should be a bedroom, and the dining room should be just that, not your craft
room.

What about
minor repairs?

Staci: Minor repairs, should be fixed, your home's presentation needs to
shine from the moment it is seen on-line and every day it is on the market.

Broken boards
on the deck, ripped carpet and broken lights give a not so taken care of
feeling to potential buyers. Be aware of the cost/benefit ratio: spending $50
on paint touch-ups is probably a better investment than refinishing all your
hardwood floors. It pays to take the extra time to ensure all minor and
inexpensive repairs are complete and the home is at its absolute best at the
time of listing.